Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Directive

You wouldn't have thought the Insolvency Service was a leaky organisation, but most papers are convinced they're considering imposing penalties on former directors of the charity Kids Company, now in liquidation. They have the power to ban people from holding any form of company directorship for up to 15 years.

Alan Yentob has held 14 directorships, including Kids Company.

His first was as a co-director of his wife's company Philippa Walker Productions, from 1991 to 1993. Alan was appointed Controller BBC1 in 1993. The company was dissolved in 2015.

In December 1991 he became a director of both the National Film and Television School and its Enterprises distribution company, set up in case students work was good enough to sell. He resigned from Enterprises in 1996 and the School proper in 1997. Alan became BBC Director of Programmes in 1996.

In 1992, Alan joined the Architecture Foundation. That year's intake also included Andreas Whittam-Smith, Sir Nicholas Serota, Lord Palumbo and Baroness Blackstone. Already on board was Sir Richard Rogers, Al's holiday partner for many years. Alan resigned in 2001.

In 1992, Alan joined the board of the English Stage Company, operators of the Royal Court Theatre, alongside Stephen Daldry. In 1995, the Company was threatened with closure under 'elf' 'n' safety grounds, and won a £16m grant from the National Lottery and the Arts Council for refurbishment. Alan resigned in 2001.

In 1992, Alan was on the board of the family glove-making and fabric wholesale company Dewhirst Dent. He resigned in 2014.

In June 1995, Alan became a director of Ealing Studios. In 1992, the BBC had sold them to lighting and special effects company BBRK for a reported £7.5m. In 1994, BBRK went into receivership. The BBC had a buy-back clause, exercised it, and then sold the whole lot on to the National Film and Television School for a nominal £1. Alan resigned in April 1996. The studios are now operated by the Met Film School, part of the University of West London.

In June 1999, Alan joined the board operating The South Bank complex. In August 1999, the Heritage Lottery Fund promised £12.5 million towards refurbishment of Royal Festival Hall. Alan resigned in 2008.

In 2001, Alan joined the board of One20, operating as Timebank, a national volunteering charity. He resigned in 2004.